The following was in a Facebook post by a friend of mine, Mary Swanson, and I think it is a terrific mindset.
“A GPS navigation system in your car only cares about two questions.
Where are you now, and where do you want to go?
At any moment, any day, ask yourself these two questions: Where am
I now? Where do I want to go?
Resolutions and goals are daily commitments, not something you make
once at the beginning of the year. Every day is another chance. Remember,
a GPS doesn’t beat you up for mistakes you did yesterday. It gives you a
clean slate every time.”
Obviously, this agrees with my (core) belief in (my need for?) second chances, new beginnings. While this would underscore my appreciation for these words, there really is more. When I read this it was the definition of GPS that caught my attention. When you define the word you immediately realize that it is value-less. A GPS never criticizes or blames though it doesn’t commend or compliment either. That’s really the point – no value… except the authority you place on it. If you are going to ‘use’ a GPS, do you… use it?
GPS devices never ask why you want to go to (fill in the blank). They simply plug in the information of where you currently are located and where you want to go and then the device proceeds to ‘plot’ the best route – taking into consideration (if the GPS is updated) any detours or construction zones. Question – do you follow the plan presented by your GPS? Sometimes not though – right? For whatever reason, you decide that your route is faster or less encumbered – and this may be accurate but why use the GPS in the first place?
‘Re-calculating’ is a phrase our GPS uses when we miss or choose not to follow the directions. The GPS quickly provides a new route, with little problem, drama, or emotion. But how about us? How do we act on a new set of dynamics when we discover that there is an ‘obstacle’ in our chosen path… or we ‘miss it’? If we choose to ignore our own GPS (our spirit) what do we substitute? Common sense? Other’s opinions? Our own approach? Probably not the best decision. I believe it is critical to trust the spirit in us, our internal GPS. I’ve discovered that every time I don’t, I end up backtracking, seeking forgiveness, apologizing, and wasting time. Never a happy feeling. GPS (our spirit) really is an opportunity for us to grow in our own spiritual growth of trust and confidence.
